System and method for controlling communication based on one or more of communication channels, polarization, antenna parameters, and power levels

ABSTRACT

A system in accordance with one aspect mitigates interference with PtPRs (Point to Point Receivers) that may be caused by a Wi-Fi base station or terminal devices associated with the Wi-Fi base station.

TECHNICAL FIELD

An exemplary aspect is directed toward communications systems. Morespecifically, an exemplary aspect is directed toward wirelesscommunications systems and even more specifically to wireless networksand/or communications networks. Even more particularly, an exemplaryaspect is directed toward wireless networks and protection zones for oneor more of a plurality of unintended receivers.

BACKGROUND

Wi-Fi was first deployed in an unlicensed frequency band which was usedfor Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) equipment. The ISMfrequency band spans from 2.4 to 2.5 GHz and is referred to as the 2.4GHz band. There are 14 channels defined for use by Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 forthe 2.4 GHz ISM band. Not all of the channels are allowed in allcountries: 11 are allowed by the FCC (Federal Communication Commission)and used in what is often termed the North American domain, and 13 areallowed in Europe where channels have been defined by ETSI (EuropeanTelecommunications Standards Institute). The WLAN/Wi-Fi channels arespaced 5 MHz apart (with the exception of a 12 MHz spacing between thelast two channels).

The IEEE 802.11 WLAN standards specify a bandwidth of 22 MHz andchannels are on a 5 MHz incremental step. Nominal figures for thechannel bandwidth of 20 MHz are often given. The 20/22 MHz bandwidth andchannel separation of 5 MHz means that adjacent channels overlap andsignals on adjacent channels will interfere with each other.

As the 2.4 GHz band becomes more crowded, many users are opting to usethe 5 GHz ISM band. This not only provides additional spectrum, but itis not as widely used by appliances including items such as microwaveovens, etc.

The 5 GHz Wi-Fi bandwidth includes unlicensed ISM channels as well asnumerous channels that fall outside the accepted ISM unlicensed bandand, as a result, various restrictions are placed on operation at thesefrequencies. The main concern for using channels that fall outside theISM unlicensed band is that the Wi-Fi equipment may interfere withoperations of weather-radar and military applications (such as militaryradar and/or communications). To prevent interference, Wi-Fi equipmentthat operates in these frequencies must implement Dynamic FrequencySelection (DFS) and Transmit Power Control (TPC) capabilities on thesechannels.

DFS is a spectrum-sharing mechanism that allows wireless LANs (WLANs) tocoexist with radar and other systems. A DFS system listens on a specificband for signal from, e.g., a radar system. If the DFS system detects asignal, the DFS system automatically selects a different frequency andexamines the different frequency to see if there is any other equipmentoperating on it. The DFS system then selects and uses a 5 GHz frequencychannel that does not interfere with any radar system.

DFS rules only apply to the frequency band between 5.250 and 5.725 GHz,which is the frequency band used by weather and military radars. Itshould be noted that DFS based systems are effective only when theincumbent system includes a transmitter that operates over the samefrequency channel and as such announces the existence of a receiver onthat frequency channel.

TPS is an automatic protocol by which two devices initiatingcommunication in the 5 GHz spectrum will negotiate so that theirrespective power level is as low as possible, just high enough to heareach other. This arrangement reduces signal pollution and thus reducesinterference with other devices. It should be noted that systems thatutilize TPS may initially interfere with other systems, and may mitigatethis interference only after the two communicating endpoints negotiateand reduce the transmission power.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/379,131, entitled “ComputingProtection Zones For Avoidance Of Interference In WirelessCommunications,” which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety, describes a method for calculating (by a channel master)protection zones and causing the terminal to determine whether toperform or prevent an attempted transmission to an intended receiver.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/455,687, entitled “ServerParticipation In Avoidance Of Interference In Wireless Communications,”which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, assumes thatan initial communication between a mobile terminal and a satellite hasbeen established. The patent applicant describes methods by which thechannel master (based on information it has and the client does nothave) can instruct the client to change its transmission parameters inorder to optimize the network.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/455,775, entitled “Reduced Power ForAvoidance Of Interference In Wireless Communications,” which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, assumes that theterminal and the satellite were able to establish a non-interferingcommunication channel. Over this communication channel, the channelmaster should be able to broaden the communication choices (satellitesand channels) that the terminal can use, effectively reducing the sizeof the protection zones that govern the operations of that terminal.

In all of these patent disclosures, the ground station communicates withterminals via a satellite using a directional antenna pointing towardsthe satellite. The channel used by the ground station for the forwardpath and the channels used by the satellite to transmit both on theforward and backward channels are licensed from and registered with theFCC. This ensures that none of these transmissions interfere withPoint-to-Point Receivers (PtPRs).

SUMMARY

In contrast, an exemplary embodiment in accordance with one aspectmitigates interference with PtPRs that may be caused by a Wi-Fi basestation or terminal devices associated with the Wi-Fi base station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary simplified communications environment inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified Point-to-Point (PtP) communicationsnetwork in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates an outdoor Wi-Fi communication system that includes abase station and devices/terminals which may operate in the samefrequency channel as the incumbent PtP communication system illustratedin FIG. 2 in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary base station transmitting on the samefrequency channel over which the PtP communication system operates inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary base station which may or may nottransmit on the same frequency channel that the PtP communication systemoperates in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method for bringing up a Wi-Fi basestation which ensures that transmission from a base station does notinterfere with any existing PtPRs in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary simplified example of a protection zonein the vicinity of a PtPR in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary protections zones in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for the exemplary operation of the system inaccordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary base station architecture in accordancewith some embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A communication network is a distributed collection of nodes (e.g.,transmitters, receivers, transceivers, etc.) interconnected bycommunication links and segments for transporting signals or databetween the nodes, such as telephony, TV/video, personal computers,workstations, mobile devices, servers, routers, base stations,satellites, and/or other devices. Many types of communication networksare available, including, but not limited to, computer networks (e.g.,local area networks, wide area networks, and so on), communicationnetworks (e.g., cellular networks, broadband networks, etc.),infrastructure or backhaul networks (e.g., C-Band/microwave inter-toweror “point-to-point” (PtP) networks, etc.), and many others.

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified example of a communication network 10.As shown, one or more individual networks may contain various devices 4communicating over links 8 specific to a particular network, or betweenone or more networks. As will be appreciated, the networks may include,but are not limited to, local area networks (LANs), wireless LANs, widearea networks (WANs), the Internet, cellular networks, infrarednetworks, microwave networks, satellite networks, and/or any other formor combination of data network configured to convey data and/orinformation between communicating devices. The networks may include anynumber of wired or wireless links between devices, though, as notedherein, the interference techniques are generally concerned only withwireless (or other shared media) links. Example wireless linkstherefore, may specifically include, but are not limited to, radiotransmission links, near-field-based links, Wi-Fi links, satellitelinks, cellular links, infrared links, microwave links, optical(light/laser-based) links, combinations thereof, or the like.

Data transmissions (e.g., packets, frames, messages, transmissionsignals, voice/video/TV/radio signals, etc.) may be exchanged among thenodes/devices of the network(s) using predefined communication protocolswhere appropriate, and such communication may notably be bidirectionalor unidirectional. In this context, a protocol includes a set of rulesdefining how the nodes interact with each other.

The devices 4 may be any form of electronic device operable tocommunicate via the one or more networks. For example, the devices 4 maybe a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet device, a phone, asmartphone, a wearable electronic device (e.g., a smart watch), a smarttelevision, a set-top device for a television, a specifically designedcommunication terminal, a satellite phone, a workstation, asensor/actuator, a vehicle, a drone, an unmanned vehicle, sensor(s), anunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), other IoT devices, or the like.

In one illustrative embodiment, a communication device/terminal 4 may beconfigured to communicate via satellites (e.g., in the C-band, K-Band,or otherwise) within a satellite communication network/environment.(Note that when in the presence of the incumbent unintended receivers,such as point-to-point receivers, (PtPRs), mechanisms may be defined toprevent interference with the operations of the incumbent system, suchas, for example, as described in commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/379,023 entitled “AVOIDANCE OF INTERFERENCE INWIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS”, filed by Reis et al. on Dec. 14, 2016, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety. For instance, a network of terminals may communicate withWi-Fi base stations to provide communication functionality such as,e.g., consumer-based text messaging/email, voice communication,picture/video communication, and Internet of Things (“IoT”)communications.

The “Avoidance of Interference in Wireless Communications” disclosure atleast describes a method by which a server may calculate protectionzones and convey them to a terminal via a wired or wireless radiochannel. The terminal then uses this compressed information to determinewhich frequency channels it may use without interfering with anyincumbent PtPR.

Historically, the ground station communicates with terminals via asatellite using a directional antenna pointing towards the satellite.The channel used by the ground station for the forward path and thechannels used by the satellite to transmit both on the forward andbackward channels are licensed from and registered with the FCC (FederalCommunications Commission). This ensures that none of thesetransmissions interfere with PtPRs.

In contrast, the system in accordance with one exemplary embodimentmitigates interference with PtPRs that may be caused by a Wi-Fi basestation or terminal devices associated with the Wi-Fi base station.

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified example of point to point (PtP)communication network 200. Transmitter tower 204 has two transmissionantennas 208 and 212 pointed at PtPRs 216 and 220, respectively. (Thetransmission tower may also include receivers (and/or other transmittersor antennas) which are omitted from the figure for clarity.) In oneexemplary embodiment, the receivers 216 and 220 may operate in C-band,however this frequency band is only an example and should not beconstrued to limit the scope of the disclosed technology. A point topoint communication system, such as communications network 200, mayutilize directional antennas for both the transmitter and the receiver.To ensure interference free communications, operators of the PtPcommunication system (in the United States) must license and registerthe frequency channel(s) in which the system operates with the FCC (orwith similar authorities in other countries).

Specifically, in the United States, point-to-point microwavetransmitters and receivers, such as 208-220, operate over radiofrequencies that are licensed from and registered with the United StatesFederal Communications Commission (FCC). The registration records arekept in a ULS database, which includes details of geo-coordinates(location), antenna types and direction, frequency bands used within theC-band, polarizations, power, etc. Currently, in the US, there areapproximately 56,000 PtPRs in the C-band frequency range, all of whichare operating within FCC regulations.

The ULS database may be updated daily to reflect any changes such asintroduction of a new PtP transmitter or receiver, as well as licensingof a new frequency channel by any of the existing or new transmitters orreceivers.

The current method of licensing frequency channels for use in a specificlocation may be suitable for large systems such as the PtP transmittersand corresponding receivers. However, this method may be too slow andprohibitively expensive for use by small commercial outdoor Wi-Fiequipment providers or services.

What is needed is a system that provides a self-coordinated registrationmethod which ensures that new (commercial) outdoor Wi-Fi equipment willnot interfere with any PtPRs.

Referring to FIG. 3, an outdoor Wi-Fi communication system 300 thatincludes base station 304 and devices/terminals 308 (including devices308 a-308 c) may operate in the same frequency channel as the incumbentPtP communication system 200 illustrated in FIG. 2. Although some of theexemplary figures show the base station 304 and PtPR 220 co-located,this is not meant to be limiting and is illustratively provided only asa specific case with other configurations being possible. Unlike thelarge scale PtP system which are deployed in accordance with a strictFCC regulation and registration processes, for the smaller scale Wi-Fisystem to be commercially successful, the deployment process must bemuch simpler while still guaranteeing non-interference with any existingor future PtP communication systems. What is needed is aself-coordination process that is able to ensure non-interference withany existing (or future) PtP communications. In essence, the PtPcommunication system (or any other incumbent user of the spectrum)always has the highest priority for any frequency channel in the area inwhich it has been licensed to operate by the FCC. A Wi-Fi system mayregister to operate in a specific location using a specific frequencychannel after ensuring that it does not interfere with any existing PtPoperations. The Wi-Fi system should also ensure that it does notinterfere with the operations of any future PtP system which has beenlicensed by the FCC. Specifically, any future PtP system would havepriority over an existing Wi-Fi system, and as such it would be theresponsibility of the Wi-Fi system to identify any new PtP systems withwhich it may interfere. If such a system is detected, the Wi-Fi systemshould immediately cease operations over that frequency channel.

FIG. 4 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment where the base station404 may transmit on the same frequency channel over which the PtPcommunication system operates. In this exemplary environment, the Wi-Fisystem operates in the same geographical environment that the PtPcommunication system.

FIG. 4 outlines an oval domain 408 that indicates the region in whichthe transmitted signal from the Wi-Fi base station 404 exceeds aspecific power threshold. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe oval shape is provided for illustration only and the actual shapedepends on the characteristics of the transmitter, the antenna, as wellas the surrounding environment.

To ensure that the transmission from the Wi-Fi base station 404 does notinterfere with the operations of the PtP communication system, the Wi-Fisystem must ensure that the received signals from its transmission atany PtPR are below a specific threshold level, e.g., 6 dB below thermalnoise level. In other words, the Wi-Fi system 404 must ensure that thedistance D_(t1) (a distance its transmission power exceeds apredetermined power threshold in a direction towards any PtPR) issmaller than the distance D_(s1) towards that receiver (e.g., D_(t1)must be smaller than D_(s1), and D_(t2) must be smaller than D_(S2) forthe environment illustrated in FIG. 4 (D_(t1)<D_(S1) and D_(t2)<D_(S2)).

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment where the base station 504 may ormay not transmit on the same frequency channel that the PtPcommunication system operates. However, the terminals 508 a-508 c mayoperate in the same frequency channel that a PtP communication systemoperates.

FIG. 5 illustrates an oval domain 502 that indicates the region in whichthe transmitted signal from the Wi-Fi base station exceeds a specificthreshold. Circular domains 512, 516, and 520 indicate the regions inwhich the transmissions from terminals 508 a, 508 b, and 508 c,respectively, exceed a specific threshold such as the thermal noiselevel (or 6 dB below thermal noise level). Those skilled in the art willrecognize that the oval and circular shapes are provided forillustration only and the actual shape depends on the characteristics ofthe transmitter, the antenna, as well as the surrounding environment.

To ensure that transmission from the terminals 508 a-508 c does notinterfere with the operations of the PtP communication system, the Wi-Fisystem must ensure that the received signals from any of the terminals508 a-508 c at any PtPR 216/220 are below a specific threshold, e.g., 6dB below thermal noise level or other threshold as appropriate.

Referring to FIG. 5, terminals 508 b, and 508 c are within the lobe 502of the Wi-Fi station 504, and terminal 508 a is outside lobe 502 andthus unable to receive a pilot signal from the Wi-Fi station 504. Assuch terminals 508 b/508 c can receive and decode the pilot signal fromthe Wi-Fi base station 504. Any of these terminals may attempt tocommunicate via base station 504 and transmit a signal at apredetermined maximum power towards the base station 504. Terminal 508 ais too far from base station 504, and as such, terminal 508 a may not beable to receive the pilot signal from the base station. As a result,terminal 508 a is prohibited from transmitting and attempting toestablish communication with base station 504.

Terminal 508 b is within reception distance from the base station 504.When terminal 508 b transmits at the maximum allowed power, its signal516 is too weak to arrive at the base station 504 and as such it may notestablish communication via base station 504. On the positive side, thesignal from terminal 508 b which is received at any of the PtPRs 216 or220, is below the noise threshold and as such it does not interfere withthe operations of any of these PtPRs. In general the maximumtransmission power of terminals may be limited to ensure that theirsignal can travel a distance equal or smaller than the maximum distancecovered by the base station 504.

Lastly, transmission 520 from terminal 508 c arrives at Wi-Fi basestation 504 with a power greater than the thermal noise level, and thusmay facilitate communication between terminal 508 c and the base station504. The same transmission signal from device 508 c arrives at any ofthe PtPRs with a power lower than a predetermined threshold and as suchit does not interfere with the operations of any of these PtPcommunication systems.

In the first embodiment, the system ensures that a base station thatoperates in the same frequency/channel as the PtPRs, does not interferewith the operations of the PtP communication system.

In the second embodiment, the system ensures that any terminal thatoperates in the same frequency/channel as the PtPRs does not interferewith the operations of the PtP communication system.

As explained above, given the fact that PtPRs 216, 220 are passivedevices, a Wi-Fi base station cannot use the standard Dynamic FrequencySelection (DFS) algorithm to detect devices that have higher priorityfor using a specific frequency channel.

FIG. 6 describes the process of bringing up a Wi-Fi base station whichensures that transmission from a base station does not interfere withany existing PtPRs. The process starts at step S600 and continues tostep S604 where the base station determines its location and thedirection its antenna may be pointing. This information may be obtainedby GPS readout, triangulation of received signals from known TVstations, configured by an administrator, and/or by any other well-knownmethod.

Next, in step S608, the system accesses the FCC ULS database andretrieves the PtPRs parameters. These parameters may include location,antenna pointing direction, frequency channel(s) used, polarity, as wellas any other pertinent parameters for all registered PtPRs. The systemthen uses these parameters to compute protection zones in a processsimilar to the one described in the co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/379,023 entitled “AVOIDANCE OF INTERFERENCE IN WIRELESSCOMMUNICATIONS”, filed by Reis et al. on Dec. 14, 2016.

In accordance with the first embodiment, the base station reuses afrequency channel that may be licensed by one of the PtPRs while theterminals use an unlicensed frequency channel. In step S612 the systemcomputes the protection zones based on the parameters of the receivers(which were obtained in step S608), and based on the Wi-Fi based stationantenna characteristics, the polarity, as well as the nominaltransmission power of the base station.

FIG. 7 illustrates a simplified example of a protection zone 704 in thevicinity of PtPR 216. For each frequency channel in the shared spectrum,the protection zones define the locations from which the base stationshould not operate so as to avoid interference with the operations ofany PtPRs. When a base station operates outside a protection zone it isguaranteed that it can safely use a frequency channel without causinginterference to any PtPR.

In accordance with the second embodiment the terminals use a frequencychannel that may be licensed by one of the PtPRs. To ensure that theterminal does not interfere with the operations of the PtPRs, the systemuses the method described in FIG. 6 to compute the protection zonesassociated with each PtPR. However, since this time the terminal mayinterfere with the PtPR and the location of the terminal is not known,the system needs to establish new protection zones.

Referring to FIG. 8, for each PtPR 802 in the illustrative embodiment,the system determines a protection zone 804 such that anyterminal/mobile device 808 transmitting (on a specific frequencychannel) from outside that zone will not interfere with operations ofthe PtPR 802. Since the direction in which the terminal 808 may betransmitting is not known, one can assume that the signal from theterminal has the same maximum strength in all directions and covers theregion illustrated by the circular shape 812. The protection zone 804 iscalculated based on the antenna characteristics of the PtPR 802, thefrequency band in which it operates, as well as the maximum power limitthat any terminal 808 may use. The system then continues to calculatethe transmission coverage zones (such as zones 408, 514, etc.) for theWi-Fi base station. The transmission coverage zones for the Wi-Fistation are calculated in order to ensure that only terminals 808 whichare out of the protection zone 804 may receive sufficient power from thebase station and attempt to establish a communication channel with thatbase station. The system ensures that the signal from the Wi-Fi basestation is not received with sufficient power by any terminal within theprotection zone 804 and as such ensures that terminals within theprotection zone 804 will not attempt to transmit on frequency channelsthat may interfere with a PtPR 802.

Base station 816 with transmission coverage zone 818 is prevented fromtransmitting in the direction D_(a) at nominal power because the basestation's signal may be received with sufficient power by terminal 808which may interfere with PtPR 802. The system may guide the installer toreduce the power of the base station, rotate it in a differentdirection, move it to a different location, use a different frequencychannel, and/or a different signal polarization. For example, basestation 820 illustrates a base station which was moved to a differentlocation and was pointed in direction D_(b) to ensure that any terminalthat can establish communication on a specific frequency channel willnot interfere with the PtPR 802 resulting in transmission coverage zone822.

In accordance with at least this exemplary aspect, the protection zoneis defined in a broader manner. As can be seen from FIG. 8, a protectionzone may be defined not only based on the parameters of the PtPR, butrather the protection zone may depend also on the direction in which theantenna of the base station is pointing and the shape of the antennalobe. In accordance with this broader definition, the term protectionzone can include all the locations of the base station from which theantenna lobe of the base station 818 intersects with the traditionalprotection zone 804 of an incumbent PtPR. Thus, the term “protectionzone” can include either the narrower or the broader definition of aprotection zone.

In accordance with yet another non-limiting exemplary embodiment, ratherthan notifying the administrator or guiding the installer, the systemusing for example one or more of the processor 1022 and protection zonemodule 1020 may automatically adapt its parameters to reduce its antennalobe gain towards the protection zone of any incumbent PtPR whilemaximizing its coverage in areas outside the protection zones ofincumbent PtPRs. The process may include any of the following steps or acombination of these steps: reduce the transmission power, select whichantenna segments should be used and at which power per antenna segment,and adapt the parameters of a phased array antenna as to achieve thedesired lobe pattern. For example, the base station may have 8 antennasegments with each segment having a lobe spanning 45 degrees. The basestation may be positioned such as to align some its 8 lobes towardsincumbent PtPRs and reducing the transmission power on these lobes as toprevent interference with the PtPRs.

The computation of these protection zones may incorporate urban planswhich include the location and size of buildings as well as othertopographical information. The computation may be performed by the basestation, or alternatively, the computation may be performed by anotherserver or cloud based computer resources and then communicated to thebase station via a computer network such as the one described in FIG. 1.

Returning to FIG. 6, in step S612 the system attempts to determine basestation parameters that will ensure non-interference by either the basestation or the terminals. These parameters could include but are notlimited to transmission power, antenna sectors or parameters to be used,parameters of a phased array antenna, etc. In step S616 the systemchecks if such parameters have been found. If such parameters werefound, the system continues to step S620 where the parameters whichensure non-interference are used for transmission by the base station.However, if such parameters are not found, or if the power that the basestation could use falls below a specific threshold, the system continuesto step S618 where the system may generate an entry in an error logand/or it may notify an administrator advising him to relocate the basestation to a different location or to point it in a different direction.Control then continues to step S624 where the sequence ends.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for continued operation of the system.Control begins in step S900 and continues to step S904 where basestation transmits a signal using parameters determined to ensure thatthe base station and/or the terminals do not interfere with operationsof any PtPR. Next, in step S908 the system periodically probes (e.g.,every day, every week, every hour, or in general at any time frequency)the FCC ULS database. The system then checks in step S912 whether any ofthe parameters of the existing PtPRs have changed. Examples of parameterchanges for a specific PtPR may include but are not limited to adding anew frequency channel, adding polarization to a specific frequencychannel, changing antenna characteristics or the like.

Then, if the system determines in step S912 that a change in parametershas occurred, the system continues to step S920 wherein control jumps tostep S600 in FIG. 6 to determine if the change affects the operatingparameters of the base station.

If the information for the PtPRs remained unchanged, control continuesto step 916 where the system determines if any new PtPR has beenestablished. If the system determines that a new PtPR is in operation,the system continues to step S920 wherein again control jumps to stepS600 to determine if the change affects the operating parameters of thebase station. However, if the system determines that no new PtPRs havebeen brought online, control loops back to step S904.

The process of probing the ULS database of step S908, can be performedby the base station itself or alternatively can be performed by anetwork attached server or the like. The network attached server thennotifies each one of the associated base station(s) whether the basestation needs to update its operations parameters. To continueoperating, a base station may need to ensure that its parameter data hasbeen updated (or validated) at least periodically, e.g., daily, weekly,etc. If the update/validation is not received within a predeterminedtimeframe, the base station must cease its transmission and requestupdated/validated parameters.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary base station 1000. The base station1000 includes one or more antennas 1004 associated with the Wi-Fi signaltransceiver 1016. The antenna could be, as just some examples, anomni-directional simple antenna, directional antenna, a multi-sectionantenna capable of selectively transmitting in different directions, ora phased array antenna capable of changing its lobe based on one or morespecific operational parameters. The base station 1000 further includesa protection zone module 1020, a processor/CPU/ASIC 1022, a LAN/WANController 1008, communications modules 1012, a Wi-Fi Transceiver 1016,a location & direction determination module 1032, memory 1024, a powersupply 1028, all interconnected by links/bus 5.

The base station 1000 is capable of being in communication with one ormore computing servers/cloud computing services 1044 via conventionalLAN/WAN network 1036 such as that illustrated in FIG. 1. The basestation may communicate directly with FCC ULS database 1040 and obtainparameters of PtPRs. Alternatively, or in addition, all or a portion ofthe data from the ULS database could be stored or collocated in thememory 1024. Alternatively, step S608 and step S908 may be executed byexternal processing services in the cloud 1044 and the raw or processedinformation may be conveyed to base station 1000. Some specificnon-limiting examples of processed information may include atransmission power limit, which specific antenna segments may be used,phased array antenna parameters, and the like.

While operation will be discussed in relation to the components in FIG.10 appreciating that each separate device in a system, e.g., terminal,processing services, LAN/WAN, etc., can include one or more of thecomponents shown in the figure, with each of the components beingoptional and each capable of being collocated on a single device ornon-collocated and distributed over a plurality of devices. Each of thecomponents in FIG. 10 can optionally be merged with one or more of theother components described herein, or into a new component(s).Additionally, it is to be appreciated that some of the components mayhave partially overlapping functionality. Similarly, all or a portion ofthe functionality of a component can optionally be merged with one ormore of the other components described herein, or into a newcomponent(s).

The one or more antennas 1004 can be used for wireless communicationsover one or more wireless links between a base station and a terminal.Furthermore those skilled in the art will recognize that the LAN/WANcommunication link to the network 1036 and other devices may be based onwired or wireless links. The wireless communication can be in accordancewith technologies such as LPWAN, multi-input multi-output (MIMO)communications, multi-user multi-input multi-output (MU-MIMO)communications, Bluetooth®, LTE, RFID, 4G, 5G, LTE, LWA, LPcommunications, Wi-Fi, satellite communication, etc. In general, theantenna(s) 1004 discussed herein can include, but are not limited to oneor more of directional antennas, omnidirectional antennas, monopoles,patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas, dipoles,multi-element antennas, phased array, and any other antenna(s) suitablefor communication transmission/reception. In an exemplary embodiment,transmission/reception may require a particular antenna spacing orplacement on a device. In another exemplary embodiment, the type oftransmission/reception can require spatial diversity allowing fordifferent channel characteristics at each of the antennas. In accordancewith yet another exemplary embodiment, the antenna is a phased arrayantenna whose lobe pattern can be governed by configuring itsoperational parameters. In accordance with this embodiment, the systemcalculates parameters that shape the lobe of the antenna so as tominimize the gain of the antenna in the direction(s) of the incumbentPtPRs while maximizing the gain of the antenna in all other directions.In one specific exemplary case, the base station may be deployed toprovide Wi-Fi coverage to a specific area. In this case, the parametersof the phased array antenna may be calculated so as to minimize the gainof the antenna in the direction of the incumbent PtPRs while maximizingthe gain in the direction of the area in which the system is designatedto provide Wi-Fi coverage.

For example, wireless links, therefore, may specifically includecommunication over licensed and unlicensed frequency channels.

The antenna(s) 1004 generally interact with an Analog Front End (AFE)(not shown) and other communications subsystems 1012, which is used toenable the correct processing of the received modulated signal andsignal conditioning for a transmitted signal. The AFE can befunctionally located between the antenna and a digital baseband system(not shown) in order to convert the analog signal into a digital signalfor processing and vice-versa.

The CPU/controller/microprocessor/ASIC 1022 can be connected to thememory/storage/cache 1024 and one or more of the other componentsdiscussed herein. The various components can interact with thememory/storage 1024 and processor 1022 which may store information andoperations necessary for configuring and transmitting or receiving theinformation described herein and/or operating the device as described.The memory/storage 1024 may also be used in connection with theexecution of application programming or instructions by thecontroller/CPU/ASIC 1022, and for temporary or long term storage ofprogram instructions and/or data. As examples, the memory/storage 1024may comprise a computer-readable device, RAM, ROM, DRAM, SDRAM, HD,and/or other storage device(s) and media.

The processor 1022 may comprise a general purpose programmable processoror controller for executing application programming or instructionsrelated to the device 1000. Furthermore, the processor 1022 can performoperations for configuring and transmitting information as describedherein. The processor 1022 may include multiple processor cores, and/orimplement multiple virtual processors. Optionally, the processor 1022may include multiple physical processors. By way of example, theprocessor 1022 may comprise one or more of a specially configuredApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or other integratedcircuit, a digital signal processor(s), a controller, a hardwiredelectronic or logic circuit(s), a programmable logic device or gatearray, a special purpose computer, and/or the like, to perform thefunctionality described herein.

The base station 1000 can further include a transmitter(s) radio circuitand receiver(s) radio circuit which can transmit and receive signals,respectively, to and from other wireless devices and/or satellites usingthe one or more antennas. Optionally included in the device 1000 is amedium access control or MAC module/circuitry and PHY circuitry.

The MAC module can provide control for accessing the wireless mediumbetween devices. In an exemplary embodiment, the MAC circuitry may bearranged to contend for the wireless medium and configure frames orpackets for communicating over the wireless medium as discussed.

The PHY module controls the electrical and physical specifications forcommunication. In particular, PHY module manages the relationshipbetween the devices and the transmission medium. Primary functions andservices performed by the physical layer, and in particular the PHYmodule, include the establishment and termination of a connection to acommunication medium, and participation in the various processes andtechnologies where communication resources are shared between, forexample, multiple devices. These technologies further include, forexample, contention resolution and flow control andmodulation/demodulation or conversion between a representation ofdigital data and the corresponding signals transmitted over thecommunication channels. These signals are transmitted over a radiocommunication (wireless) link. The physical layer of the OSI model andthe PHY module/circuitry can be embodied as a plurality ofsub-components. These sub-components and/or circuits can include aPhysical Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) which can act as anadaptation layer. The PLCP is at least responsible for the Clear ChannelAssessment (CCA) and building packets for different physical layertechnologies. The Physical Medium Dependent (PMD) layer specifiesmodulation and coding techniques used by the device and a PHY managementlayer manages channel tuning and the like. A station managementsub-layer and the MAC circuitry can also handle coordination ofinteractions between the MAC and PHY layers at the various transceivers.

The MAC layer and components, and in particular the MAC circuitry canprovide a functional and procedural means to transfer data betweenentities and to detect and possibly correct errors that may occur in thephysical layer. The MAC circuitry also can provide access tocontention-based and contention-free traffic on different types ofphysical layers, such as when multiple communication technologies areincorporated into one or more of the devices. In the MAC, theresponsibilities are divided into the MAC sub-layer and the MACmanagement sub-layer. The MAC sub-layer defines access mechanisms andpacket formats while the MAC management sub-layer defines powermanagement, security and roaming services, etc.

The base station 1000 can also optionally contain a security module (notshown). This security module can contain information regarding but notlimited to, security parameters required to connect the terminal to oneor more other devices or other available network(s), and can include WEPor WPA/WPA-2 (optionally + AES and/or TKIP) security access keys,network keys, etc. Security access keys are a security password used bynetworks. Knowledge of this code can enable a wireless device toexchange information with another device.

The base station 1000 can also optionally contain aninterleaver/deinterleaver that can perform interleaving and/ordeinterleaving functions to, for example, assist with error correction.A modulator/demodulator can optionally perform modulation and/ordemodulation functions such as OFDM, QPSK, QAM, or othermodulation/demodulation techniques, etc. An encoder/decoder canoptionally perform various types of encoding/decoding of data. Ascrambler can optionally be used for data encoding. Amultiplexer/demultiplexer can optionally provide multiplexing anddemultiplexing services, such as spatial multiplexing.

In operation, the location and direction determination module 1032 mayobtain the location of the base station and the direction in which theantenna(s) 1004 points either from an internal GPS and compass which canoptionally be part of the module 1032, and/or alternatively from aconfiguration terminal (not shown) which can be connected to the basestation 1000 by a wired or wireless communication link.

Alternatively, a configuration terminal may be connected to the basestation via the LAN network 1036. The CPU 1022 and memory 1024 alongwith the protection zone module 1020 calculates the protection zonesassociated with each PtPR for each specific frequency channel andpolarization. As described above, the computation can be executed by theprotection zone module 1020 or in collaboration with externalcomputation services such as an external server or cloud computingservice 1044. The method for computing the protection zone depends uponwhether the terminal transmits over a licensed frequency band or over anunlicensed frequency band. If the protection zone module 1020 (either byitself on in collaboration with external computation services 1044)finds operation parameters that will ensure non-interference with anyPtPR, the CPU 1022 sets the operating parameters in memory 1024 to theseparameters and controls the Wi-Fi transceiver 1016 to operate using theparameters. In one specific exemplary embodiment, the parameters mayinclude the operational parameters of a phased array antenna so as tominimize the gain in a direction towards all PtPRs and maximize the gaintowards areas in which the base station is to provide Wi-Fi coverage.Otherwise, if such parameters cannot be found, the CPU 1022 logs anerror message and may notify the administrator to change the location orother operating parameters such as, but not limited to, the direction inwhich the antenna(s) 1004 points.

Given the popularity of wireless communications modality the currentbandwidth is getting crowded and communication companies are looking fornew bandwidth that could be utilized for communication. One of thebandwidth expansions that are entertained is the frequency range between5.9 GHz to 7.0 GHz which overlaps with C-band communication systems.(C-Band is defined as frequency band ranging from 4.0 to 8.0 gigahertz(GHz)). More specifically, incumbent point to point receivers (PtPR) mayoperate in this range.

As mentioned, avoiding interference with military and weather radarsystems is rather simple as these systems announce their presence bytransmitting a periodic radio signal as part of their normal operation.In contrast the PtPRs are passive systems which may be tuned to receivesignals from transmitters with narrow-lobe antenna that points in theirdirection.

If Wi-Fi and especially outdoor Wi-Fi are to utilize the frequency rangebetween 5.9 Ghz to 7 Ghz, the system must ensure that both the Wi-Fihotspot or base station and the associated Wi-Fi devices/terminals donot interfere with the operations of any incumbent PtPRs. The challengeis to ensure that a new Wi-Fi system does not interfere with theincumbent receiver even though the receivers are passive devices whichdo not announce their presence.

Another challenge stems from the fact that the PtPR environment isdynamic and the PtPR based communications equipment has priority overother systems (such as a Wi-Fi system). Specifically, operators of anincumbent communication system may request and license (from the FCC) anew frequency channel. As such, a Wi-Fi system that operated withoutinterfering with any PtPR may start interfering with a newly assignedfrequency to a PtPR.

Exemplary aspects described herein also address these needs by allowingdeployment safely without interfering with any existing incumbent PtPR.Additionally, the system is capable of being updated in a timely mannerabout any frequency bands that neighboring PtPRs license from the FCC.If the Wi-Fi system detects that a neighboring PtPR licensed a specificfrequency band, the system can immediately stop using that frequency asto ensure that the operations of the PtPR are not interfered with.

Although the disclosure has been described in reference to PtPRs, it isto be appreciated that the technology disclosed herein is applicable toany incumbent receiver(s) in any frequency(ies) of which the Point toPoint Receivers are only one example

It should be noted that certain steps within the flowcharts may beoptional and the steps shown in the figures are merely examples forillustration, and certain other steps may be included or excluded asdesired. Furthermore, while a particular order of the steps is shown,this ordering is merely illustrative, and any suitable arrangement ofthe steps may be utilized without departing from the scope of theembodiments herein. Moreover, the methods are described separately,certain steps from each procedure may be incorporated into one or moreof the other methods, and the various steps are not meant to be mutuallyexclusive.

In the detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of some embodiments. However,it will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art that someembodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known methods, procedures, components, units and/orcircuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure thediscussion.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices andsystems, for example, a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Device (MD), awireless station (STA), a Personal Computer (PC), a desktop computer, amobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tabletcomputer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a handheld PDA device, anon-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device, a vehiculardevice, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a consumerdevice, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a wireless communicationstation, a wireless communication device, a wireless Access Point (AP),a wired or wireless router, a wired or wireless modem, a video device,an audio device, an audio-video (A/V) device, a wired or wirelessnetwork, a wireless area network, a Wireless Video Area Network (WVAN),a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN), a Personal AreaNetwork (PAN), a Wireless PAN (WPAN), and the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with devices and/or networksoperating in accordance with existing Wireless-Gigabit-Alliance (WGA)specifications (Wireless Gigabit Alliance, Inc. WiGig MAC and PHYSpecification Version 1.1, April 2011, Final specification) and/orfuture versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networksoperating in accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 standards (IEEE802.11-2012, IEEE Standard for Information technology—Telecommunicationsand information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan areanetworks—Specific requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium AccessControl (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications, Mar. 29, 2012;IEEE802.11ac-2013 (“IEEE P802.11ac-2013, IEEE Standard for InformationTechnology—Telecommunications and Information Exchange BetweenSystems—Local and Metropolitan Area Networks—Specific Requirements—Part11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)Specifications—Amendment 4: Enhancements for Very High Throughput forOperation in Bands below 6 GHz”, December, 2013); IEEE 802.11 ad (“IEEEP802.11 ad-2012, IEEE Standard for InformationTechnology—Telecommunications and Information Exchange BetweenSystems—Local and Metropolitan Area Networks—Specific Requirements—Part11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)Specifications—Amendment 3: Enhancements for Very High Throughput in the60 GHz Band”, 28 Dec. 2012); IEEE-802.11REVmc (“IEEE 802.11-REVmc™/D3.0,June 2014 draft standard for Information technology—Telecommunicationsand information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan areanetworks Specific requirements; Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium AccessControl (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specification”); IEEE802.11-ay(P802.11ay Standard for Information Technology—Telecommunications andInformation Exchange Between Systems Local and Metropolitan AreaNetworks—Specific Requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium AccessControl (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications—Amendment:Enhanced Throughput for Operation in License-Exempt Bands Above 45GHz)), IEEE 802.11-2016 and/or future versions and/or derivativesthereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existingWireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Alliance (WFA) Peer-to-Peer (P2P)specifications (Wi-Fi P2P technical specification, version 1.5, August2014) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/ornetworks operating in accordance with existing or future developedcellular specifications and/or protocols, e.g., 3rd GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and/or futureversions and/or derivatives thereof, units and/or devices which are partof the above networks, or operate using any one or more of the aboveprotocols or other communications protocols, and the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one way and/or two-wayradio communication systems, cellular radio-telephone communicationsystems, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, aPersonal Communication Systems (PCS) device, a PDA device whichincorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portableGlobal Positioning System (GPS) device, a device which incorporates aGPS receiver or transceiver or chip, a device which incorporates an RFIDelement or chip, a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transceiver ordevice, a Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) transceiver or device, aMultiple Input Single Output (MISO) transceiver or device, a devicehaving one or more internal antennas and/or external antennas, DigitalVideo Broadcast (DVB) devices or systems, multi-standard radio devicesor systems, a wired or wireless handheld device, e.g., a Smartphone, aWireless Application Protocol (WAP) device, or the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types ofwireless communication signals and/or systems, for example, RadioFrequency (RF), InfraRed (IR), Frequency-Division Multiplexing (FDM),Orthogonal FDM (OFDM), Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access(OFDMA), FDM Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM), Time-Division MultipleAccess (TDMA), Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO), Spatial Division MultipleAccess (SDMA), Extended TDMA (E-TDMA), General Packet Radio Service(GPRS), extended GPRS, Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA), WidebandCDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 2000, single-carrier CDMA, multi-carrier CDMA,Multi-Carrier Modulation (MDM), Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT), Bluetooth,Global Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, ZigBee™, Ultra-Wideband(UWB), Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 3.5G,4G, Fifth Generation (5G), or Sixth Generation (6G) mobile networks,3GPP, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE advanced, Enhanced Data rates forGSM Evolution (EDGE), LPWAN, LoRA, Ultra Narrow Band, Random PhaseMultiple Access, or the like. Other embodiments may be used in variousother devices, systems and/or networks.

Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a WLAN(Wireless Local Area Network), e.g., a Wi-Fi network. Other embodimentsmay be used in conjunction with any other suitable wirelesscommunication network, for example, a wireless area network, a“piconet”, a WPAN, a WVAN, and the like.

Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with awireless communication network communicating over a frequency band of 5GHz and/or 60 GHz. However, other embodiments may be implementedutilizing any other suitable wireless communication frequency bands, forexample, an Extremely High Frequency (EHF) band (the millimeter wave(mmWave) frequency band), e.g., a frequency band within the frequencyband of between 20 GHz and 300 GHz, a WLAN frequency band, a WPANfrequency band, a frequency band according to the WGA specification, andthe like.

While the above provides just some simple examples of the various deviceconfigurations, it is to be appreciated that numerous variations andpermutations are possible. Moreover, the technology is not limited toany specific channels, but is generally applicable to any frequencyrange(s)/channel(s). Moreover, the technology may be useful in theunlicensed spectrum.

In the detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed techniques.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent techniques may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuitshave not been described in detail so as not to obscure the presentdisclosure.

Although embodiments are not limited in this regard, discussionsutilizing terms such as, for example, “processing,” “computing,”“calculating,” “determining,” “establishing”, “analyzing”, “checking”,or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer,a computing platform, a computing system, a communication system orsubsystem, or other electronic computing device, that manipulate and/ortransform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantitieswithin the computer's registers and/or memories into other datasimilarly represented as physical quantities within the computer'sregisters and/or memories or other information storage medium that maystore instructions to perform operations and/or processes.

Although embodiments are not limited in this regard, the terms“plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein may include, for example,“multiple” or “two or more”. The terms “plurality” or “a plurality” maybe used throughout the specification to describe two or more components,devices, elements, units, parameters, circuits, or the like. Forexample, “a plurality of stations” may include two or more stations.

It is to also be understood that usage of the terms terminal, device,IoT device, sensor, and the like, can optionally all be equivalent anddescribe the same function while at times in a different context orusing different hardware.

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words andphrases used throughout this document: the terms “include” and“comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion withoutlimitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases“associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivativesthereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with,interconnected with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with,couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave,juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a propertyof, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system orpart thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may beimplemented in hardware, circuitry, firmware or software, or somecombination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that thefunctionality associated with any particular controller may becentralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions forcertain words and phrases are provided throughout this document andthose of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, ifnot most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as futureuses of such defined words and phrases.

The exemplary embodiments will be described in relation tocommunications systems, as well as protocols, techniques, means andmethods for performing communications, such as in a wireless network, orin general in any communications network operating using anycommunications protocol(s). It should be appreciated however that ingeneral, the systems, methods and techniques disclosed herein will workequally well for other types of communications environments, networksand/or protocols.

For purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the present techniques. It should beappreciated however that the present disclosure may be practiced in avariety of ways beyond the specific details set forth herein.Furthermore, while the exemplary embodiments illustrated herein showvarious components of the system collocated, it is to be appreciatedthat the various components of the system can be located at distantportions of a distributed network, such as a communications network,node, and/or the Internet, or within a dedicated secured, unsecured,and/or encrypted system and/or within a network operation or managementdevice that is located inside or outside the network. As an example, aDomain Master can also be used to refer to any device, system or modulethat manages and/or configures or communicates with any one or moreaspects of the network or communications environment and/ortransceiver(s) and/or stations and/or satellite communications system(s)described herein.

Thus, it should be appreciated that the components of the system can becombined into one or more devices, or split between devices, such as atransceiver, a device, an IoT sensor, a station, a Domain Master, anetwork operation or management device, a node or collocated on aparticular node of a distributed network, such as a communicationsnetwork. As will be appreciated from the following description, and forreasons of computational efficiency, the components of the system can bearranged at any location within a distributed network without affectingthe operation thereof. For example, the various components can belocated in a spatial router, a node on the network, a domain managementdevice, a network operation or management device, a transceiver(s), astation, an access point(s), a communications unit, or some combinationthereof. Similarly, one or more of the functional portions of the systemcould be distributed between a transceiver and an associated computingdevice/system.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links 5,including the communications channel(s) connecting the elements, can bewired or wireless links or any combination thereof, or any other knownor later developed element(s) capable of supplying and/or communicatingdata to and from the connected elements. The term module as used hereincan refer to any known or later developed hardware, circuitry, software,firmware, or combination thereof, that is capable of performing thefunctionality associated with that element. The terms determine,calculate, and compute and variations thereof, as used herein are usedinterchangeable and include any type of methodology, process, technique,mathematical operational or protocol.

Moreover, while some of the exemplary embodiments described herein aredirected toward a transmitter portion of a transceiver performingcertain functions, or a receiver portion of a transceiver performingcertain functions, this disclosure is intended to include correspondingand complementary transmitter-side or receiver-side functionality,respectively, in both the same transceiver and/or anothertransceiver(s), and vice versa.

The exemplary embodiments are described in relation to LPWANcommunications. However, it should be appreciated, that in general,portions of the systems and methods herein will work equally well forany type of communication system in any environment utilizing any one ormore protocols including wired communications, wireless communications,powerline communications, coaxial cable communications, fiber opticcommunications, and the like.

To avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure, the descriptionomits well-known structures and devices that may be shown in blockdiagram form or otherwise summarized.

Exemplary aspects are directed toward:

-   -   A communications system comprising:    -   a first wireless communication network that determines a        protection zone for each of a plurality of unintended receivers        of a second wireless communication network, wherein a protection        zone defines a geographical area where transmission by at least        one of a base station and terminal may cause interference with        operation of a corresponding at least one unintended receiver;    -   the first wireless communication network using a location and        direction determination module to determine a current location        of the base station;    -   the first wireless communication network determining a current        direction in which the antenna of the base station points;    -   the first communication network determining whether the current        location and antenna direction of the base station is within any        protection zone of the plurality of unintended receivers and may        cause interference with the operation of a corresponding        unintended receiver; and    -   a protection zone system that determines whether transmission is        allowed.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein a transceiver in        the base station transmits in response to the current location        and antenna direction not being within any protection zone of        the plurality of unintended receivers.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the base station        performs a local assessment of interference to one or more        unintended receivers in response the current location or antenna        direction being new or modified, or the information from the ULS        (Universal Licensing System) database being new or modified.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the base station        performs a transmission in response to a local assessment of        interference concluding that there will be no interference with        any of the one or more unintended receivers.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the base station        is prevented from transmitting in response to a local assessment        of interference concluding that there will be interference with        any of the one or more unintended receivers.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the interference        may be caused by transmission from the base station of the first        wireless communication network to a receiver of the second        wireless communication network.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the interference        is caused by transmission from a terminal of the first wireless        communication network to a receiver of the second wireless        communication network.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein preventing the        transmission by the base station includes one or more of logging        an error message, notifying a system administrator, and/or        suggesting different operational parameters for the base        station.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the determining,        by the first communication system, whether the current location        and antenna direction of the base station is within any        protection zone includes testing optional operating parameters        for the base station and selecting a set of operational        parameters that ensures that the base station does not transmit        from within a protection zone of any point to point receiver.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein being within a        protection zone of one or more of the plurality of unintended        receivers includes determining that an only way to not interfere        with one or more point to point receivers includes reducing the        transmission power of the base station below a predetermined        threshold.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the determining by        the first communication system includes one or more of        performing calculations in an internal CPU of the base station,        performing calculations in a server or cloud computing resource        associated with the base station via a computer network and        controlling operations of the base station by external        computation services, and jointly performing the determination        by a CPU of the base station and the external computation        services.    -   A method of operating a communications system comprising:    -   determining, in a first wireless communication network, a        protection zone for each of a plurality of unintended receivers        of a second wireless communication network, wherein a protection        zone defines a geographical area where transmission by a base        station may cause interference by at least one of a base station        and terminal with operation of a corresponding at least one        unintended receiver;    -   determining, in the first wireless communication network, a        current location of the base station;    -   determining, in the first wireless communication network, a        current direction in which the antenna of the base station        points;    -   determining, in the first communication network, whether the        current location and antenna direction of the base station is        within any protection zone of the plurality of unintended        receivers and may cause interference with the operation of a        corresponding unintended receiver;    -   a protection zone system that determines whether transmission is        allowed.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, further comprising the        base station transmitting in response to the current location        and antenna direction not being within any protection zone of        the plurality of unintended receivers.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the base station        performs a local assessment of interference to one or more        unintended receivers in response the current location or antenna        direction being new or modified, or the information from the ULS        (Universal Licensing System) database being new or modified.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the base station        performs a transmission in response to a local assessment of        interference concluding that there will be no interference with        any of the one or more unintended receivers.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the base station        is prevented from transmitting in response to a local assessment        of interference concluding that there will be interference with        any of the one or more unintended receivers.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the interference        may be caused by transmission from the base station of the first        wireless communication network to a receiver of the second        wireless communication network.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the interference        is caused by transmission from a terminal of the first wireless        communication network to a receiver of the second wireless        communication network.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein preventing the        transmission by the base station includes one or more of logging        an error message, notifying a system administrator, and/or        suggesting different operational parameters for the base        station.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the determining,        by the first communication system, whether the current location        and antenna direction of the base station is within any        protection zone includes testing optional operating parameters        for the base station and selecting a set of operational        parameters that ensures that the base station does not transmit        from within a protection zone of any point to point receiver.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein being within a        protection zone of one or more of the plurality of unintended        receivers includes determining that an only way to not interfere        with one or more point to point receivers includes reducing the        transmission power of the base station below a predetermined        threshold.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the determining by        the first communication system includes one or more of        performing calculations in an internal CPU of the base station,        performing calculations in a server or cloud computing resource        associated with the base station via a computer network and        controlling operations of the base station by external        computation services, and jointly performing the determination        by a CPU of the base station and the external computation        services.    -   A communications device comprising:    -   a location and direction determination module to determine a        current location of a base station and a current direction in        which the antenna of the base station points;    -   a protection zone module to determine whether the current        location and antenna direction of the base station is within any        protection zone of a plurality of unintended receivers and may        therefore cause interference with an operation of a        corresponding unintended receiver, wherein a protection zone        defines a geographical area where transmission by at least one        of the base station and a terminal may cause interference with        operation of a corresponding at least one unintended receiver,        the protection zone module further preventing transmission by        the base station when the current location and antenna direction        of the base station is within any protection zone of one or more        of the plurality of unintended receivers.    -   A method to operate a communications device comprising:    -   determining a current location of a base station and a current        direction in which the antenna of the base station points;    -   determining whether the current location and antenna direction        of the base station is within any protection zone of a plurality        of unintended receivers and may therefore cause interference        with an operation of a corresponding unintended receiver,        wherein a protection zone defines a geographical area where        transmission by at least one of the base station and a terminal        may cause interference with operation of a corresponding at        least one unintended receiver; and    -   preventing transmission by the base station when the current        location and antenna direction of the base station is within any        protection zone of one or more of the plurality of unintended        receivers.    -   A system for periodically distributing information to each        connected device comprising:    -   a processor and connected memory that determine from information        acceptable communication channels, polarization, antenna        segments, and power levels;    -   a processor and connected memory allowing transmission by a        communications device when an acceptable combination of        communication channels, polarization, antenna parameters, and        power levels exist, and preventing transmission when it is        determined that an acceptable combination of communication        channels, polarization, antenna parameters, and power levels do        not exist;    -   wherein the combination of communication channels, polarization,        antenna parameters, and power levels is acceptable when        transmission by a base station does not cause interference by        the base station or by an associated terminal with the        operations of a PtPR.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the information is        at least from a look-up table containing information about the        PtPRs, and the base station determines if the base station has        acceptable communication parameters including one or more of        frequency channels, polarization, antenna parameters, and power        levels before the base station transmits.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the information is        obtained from an external computing device; and    -   transmission by the device is allowed when acceptable        communication parameters can be calculated based on information        obtained within a predetermined period of time; or    -   transmission by the device is prevented when acceptable        communication parameters cannot be calculated based on        information obtained within a predetermined period of time or        when the only available information was obtained prior a        predetermined period of time.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the external        computing device is one or more of a network attached server        and/or a cloud based services.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the information        includes communication parameters including one or more of        transmission power, antenna segment to be used, operational        parameters for a phased array antenna, frequency channel, and        polarization.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the information is        obtained from an external computing device; and    -   transmission by the device is allowed when the device identifies        acceptable communication parameters within a predetermined        period of time; or    -   transmission by the device is prevented when the device does not        identify acceptable communication parameters within a        predetermined period of time or when the only available        information was obtained prior a predetermined period of time.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the device is a        WiFi base station.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the information is        distributed by either one of periodic broadcast message,        periodic unsolicited direct message to the device, or in        response to a request from the device for the information.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the device ceases        transmission when it is determined that stored information is        out of date.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, further comprising the        processor determining whether a current location and antenna        direction of the base station is within any protection zone of a        plurality of unintended receivers and may cause interference        with the operation of a corresponding unintended receiver and        further includes periodically checking a database for one or        more of changes in operational parameters of existing point to        point receivers or establishment of a new point to point        receiver.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the system        automatically adapt communication parameters to reduce an        antenna lobe gain towards a protection zone of any incumbent        PtPR while maximizing coverage in areas outside the protection        zone of incumbent PtPRs.    -   A method to periodically distribute information to each        connected device comprising: a processor and connected memory        that determine from information acceptable communication        channels, polarization, antenna segments, and power levels;    -   a processor and connected memory allowing transmission by a        communications device when an acceptable combination of        communication channels, polarization, antenna parameters, and        power levels exist, and preventing transmission when it is        determined that an acceptable combination of communication        channels, polarization, antenna parameters, and power levels do        not exist;    -   wherein the combination of communication channels, polarization,        antenna parameters, and power levels is acceptable when        transmission by a base station does not cause interference by        the base station or by an associated terminal with the        operations of a PtPR.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the information is        at least from a look-up table containing information about the        PtPRs, and the base station determines if the base station has        acceptable communication parameters including one or more of        frequency channels, polarization, antenna parameters, and power        levels before the base station transmits.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the information is        obtained from an external computing device; and    -   transmission by the device is allowed when acceptable        communication parameters can be calculated based on information        obtained within a predetermined period of time; or    -   transmission by the device is prevented when acceptable        communication parameters cannot be calculated based on        information obtained within a predetermined period of time or        when the only available information was obtained prior a        predetermined period of time.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the external        computing device is one or more of a network attached server        and/or a cloud based services.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the information        includes communication parameters including one or more of        transmission power, antenna segment to be used, operational        parameters for a phased array antenna, frequency channel, and        polarization.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the information is        obtained from an external computing device; and    -   transmission by the device is allowed when the device identifies        acceptable communication parameters within a predetermined        period of time; or    -   transmission by the device is prevented when the device does not        identify acceptable communication parameters within a        predetermined period of time or when the only available        information was obtained prior to a predetermined period of        time.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the device is a        WiFi base station.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the information is        distributed by either one of periodic broadcast message,        periodic unsolicited direct message to the device, or in        response to a request from the device for the information.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the device ceases        transmission when it is determined that stored information is        out of date.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, further comprising        determining whether a current location and antenna direction of        the base station is within any protection zone of a plurality of        unintended receivers and may cause interference with the        operation of a corresponding unintended receiver and further        includes periodically checking a database for one or more of        changes in operational parameters of existing point to point        receivers or establishment of a new point to point receiver.    -   Any one or more of the above aspects, wherein the system        automatically adapt communication parameters to reduce an        antenna lobe gain towards a protection zone of any incumbent        PtPR while maximizing coverage in areas outside the protection        zone of incumbent PtPRs.

A non-transitory computer readable information storage media havingstored thereon instructions that when executed by one or more processorscause to be performed any one or more of the above aspects.

A system on a chip (SoC) including any one or more of the above aspects.

One or more means for performing any one or more of the above aspects.

Any one or more of the aspects as substantially described herein.

For purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. It shouldbe appreciated however that the techniques herein may be practiced in avariety of ways beyond the specific details set forth herein.

Furthermore, while the exemplary embodiments illustrated herein show thevarious components of the system collocated, it is to be appreciatedthat the various components of the system can be located at distantportions of a distributed network, such as a communications networkand/or the Internet, or within a dedicated secure, unsecured and/orencrypted system. Thus, it should be appreciated that the components ofthe system can be combined into one or more devices, such as a spatialrouter, or collocated on a particular node/element(s) of a distributednetwork, such as a communications network. As will be appreciated fromthe following description, and for reasons of computational efficiency,the components of the system can be arranged at any location within adistributed network without affecting the operation of the system. Forexample, the various components can be located in a transceiver, aspatial router, a station, a sensor, a management device, or somecombination thereof. Similarly, one or more functional portions of thesystem could be distributed between a transceiver and an associatedcomputing device.

While the above-described flowcharts have been discussed in relation toa particular sequence of events, it should be appreciated that changesto this sequence can occur without materially effecting the operation ofthe embodiment(s). Additionally, the exact sequence of events need notoccur as set forth in the exemplary embodiments, but rather the stepscan be performed by one or the other transceiver in the communicationsystem provided both transceivers are aware of the technique being usedfor communication. Additionally, the exemplary techniques illustratedherein are not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments butcan also be utilized with the other exemplary embodiments and eachdescribed feature is individually and separately claimable.

The above-described system can be implemented or partially implementedon a wireless telecommunications device(s)/system, such an IEEE 802.11transceiver, a satellite communications transceiver, or the like.Examples of wireless protocols that can be used with this technologyinclude IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ad, IEEE 802.11af, IEEE 802.11ah, IEEE 802.11ai,IEEE 802.11aj, IEEE 802.11aq, IEEE 802.11ax, Wi-Fi, LTE, 4G, Bluetooth®,WirelessHD, 3GPP, Wireless LAN, WiMAX, DensiFi SIG, Unifi SIG, 3GPP LAA(licensed-assisted access), and the like.

The term transceiver/terminal as used herein can refer to any devicethat comprises hardware, software, circuitry, firmware, or anycombination thereof and is capable of performing any of the methods,techniques and/or algorithms described herein.

Additionally, the systems, methods and protocols can be implemented toimprove one or more of a special purpose computer, a programmedmicroprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuitelement(s), an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signalprocessor, a hard-wired electronic or logic circuit such as discreteelement circuit, a programmable logic device such as PLD, PLA, FPGA,PAL, a modem, a transmitter/receiver, any comparable means, or the like.In general, any device capable of implementing a state machine that isin turn capable of implementing the methodology illustrated herein canbenefit from the various communication methods, protocols and techniquesaccording to the disclosure provided herein.

Examples of the processors as described herein may include, but are notlimited to, at least one of Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 800 and 801, Qualcomm®Snapdragon® 610 and 615 with 4G LTE Integration and 64-bit computing,Apple® A7 processor with 64-bit architecture, Apple® M7 motioncoprocessors, Samsung® Exynos® series, the Intel® Core™ family ofprocessors, the Intel® Xeon® family of processors, the Intel® Atom™family of processors, the Intel Itanium® family of processors, Intel®Core® i5-4670K and i7-4770K 22 nm Haswell, Intel® Core® i5-3570K 22 nmIvy Bridge, the AMD® FX™ family of processors, AMD® FX-4300, FX-6300,and FX-8350 32 nm Vishera, AMD® Kaveri processors, Texas Instruments®Jacinto C6000™ automotive infotainment processors, Texas Instruments®OMAP™ automotive-grade mobile processors, ARM® Cortex™-M processors,ARM® Cortex-A and ARM926EJ-S™ processors, Broadcom® AirForceBCM4704/BCM4703 wireless networking processors, the AR7100 WirelessNetwork Processing Unit, other industry-equivalent processors, and mayperform computational functions using any known or future-developedstandard, instruction set, libraries, and/or architecture.

Furthermore, the disclosed methods may be readily implemented insoftware using object or object-oriented software developmentenvironments that provide portable source code that can be used on avariety of computer or workstation platforms. Alternatively, thedisclosed system may be implemented partially or fully in hardware usingstandard logic circuits or VLSI design. Whether software or hardware isused to implement the systems in accordance with the embodiments isdependent on the speed and/or efficiency requirements of the system, theparticular function, and the particular software or hardware systems ormicroprocessor or microcomputer systems being utilized. Thecommunication systems, methods and protocols illustrated herein can bereadily implemented in hardware and/or software using any known or laterdeveloped systems or structures, devices and/or software by those ofordinary skill in the applicable art from the functional descriptionprovided herein and with a general basic knowledge of the computer andcommunications arts.

Moreover, the disclosed methods may be readily implemented in softwareand/or firmware that can be stored on a storage medium to improve theperformance of: a programmed general-purpose computer with thecooperation of a controller and memory, a special purpose computer, amicroprocessor, or the like. In these instances, the systems and methodscan be implemented as program embedded on personal computer such as anapplet, JAVA® or CGI script, as a resource residing on a server orcomputer workstation, as a routine embedded in a dedicated communicationsystem or system component, or the like. The system can also beimplemented by physically incorporating the system and/or method into asoftware and/or hardware system, such as the hardware and softwaresystems of a communications transceiver.

It is therefore apparent that there has at least been provided systemsand methods for enhancing and improving communications technology. Whilethe embodiments have been described in conjunction with a number ofembodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications andvariations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in theapplicable arts. Accordingly, this disclosure is intended to embrace allsuch alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that arewithin the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

1. A system for periodically distributing information to each connecteddevice comprising: a processor and connected memory that determine frominformation acceptable communication channels, polarization, antennasegments, and power levels; a processor and connected memory allowingtransmission by a communications device when an acceptable combinationof communication channels, polarization, antenna parameters, and powerlevels exist, and preventing transmission when it is determined that anacceptable combination of communication channels, polarization, antennaparameters, and power levels do not exist; wherein the combination ofcommunication channels, polarization, antenna parameters, and powerlevels is acceptable when transmission by a base station does not causeinterference by the base station or by an associated terminal with theoperations of a PtPR.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the informationis at least from a look-up table containing information about the PtPRs,and the base station determines if the base station has acceptablecommunication parameters including one or more of frequency channels,polarization, antenna parameters, and power levels before the basestation transmits.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the information isobtained from an external computing device; and transmission by thedevice is allowed when acceptable communication parameters can becalculated based on information obtained within a predetermined periodof time; or transmission by the device is prevented when acceptablecommunication parameters cannot be calculated based on informationobtained within a predetermined period of time or when the onlyavailable information was obtained prior a predetermined period of time.4. The system of claim 3, wherein the external computing device is oneor more of a network attached server and/or a cloud based services. 5.The system of claim 1, wherein the information includes communicationparameters including one or more of transmission power, antenna segmentto be used, operational parameters for a phased array antenna, frequencychannel, and polarization.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein theinformation is obtained from an external computing device; andtransmission by the device is allowed when the device identifiesacceptable communication parameters within a predetermined period oftime; or transmission by the device is prevented when the device doesnot identify acceptable communication parameters within a predeterminedperiod of time or when the only available information was obtained priora predetermined period of time.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein thedevice is a WiFi base station.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein theinformation is distributed by either one of periodic broadcast message,periodic unsolicited direct message to the device, or in response to arequest from the device for the information.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the device ceases transmission when it is determined that storedinformation is out of date.
 10. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising the processor determining whether a current location andantenna direction of the base station is within any protection zone of aplurality of unintended receivers and may cause interference with theoperation of a corresponding unintended receiver and further includesperiodically checking a database for one or more of changes inoperational parameters of existing point to point receivers orestablishment of a new point to point receiver.
 11. The system of claim1, wherein the system automatically adapt communication parameters toreduce an antenna lobe gain towards a protection zone of any incumbentPtPR while maximizing coverage in areas outside the protection zone ofincumbent PtPRs.
 12. A method to periodically distribute information toeach connected device comprising: a processor and connected memory thatdetermine from information acceptable communication channels,polarization, antenna segments, and power levels; a processor andconnected memory allowing transmission by a communications device whenan acceptable combination of communication channels, polarization,antenna parameters, and power levels exist, and preventing transmissionwhen it is determined that an acceptable combination of communicationchannels, polarization, antenna parameters, and power levels do notexist; wherein the combination of communication channels, polarization,antenna parameters, and power levels is acceptable when transmission bya base station does not cause interference by the base station or by anassociated terminal with the operations of a PtPR.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the information is at least from a look-up tablecontaining information about the PtPRs, and the base station determinesif the base station has acceptable communication parameters includingone or more of frequency channels, polarization, antenna parameters, andpower levels before the base station transmits.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein the information is obtained from an external computingdevice; and transmission by the device is allowed when acceptablecommunication parameters can be calculated based on information obtainedwithin a predetermined period of time; or transmission by the device isprevented when acceptable communication parameters cannot be calculatedbased on information obtained within a predetermined period of time orwhen the only available information was obtained prior a predeterminedperiod of time.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the externalcomputing device is one or more of a network attached server and/or acloud based services.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein theinformation includes communication parameters including one or more oftransmission power, antenna segment to be used, operational parametersfor a phased array antenna, frequency channel, and polarization.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the information is obtained from an externalcomputing device; and transmission by the device is allowed when thedevice identifies acceptable communication parameters within apredetermined period of time; or transmission by the device is preventedwhen the device does not identify acceptable communication parameterswithin a predetermined period of time or when the only availableinformation was obtained prior to a predetermined period of time. 18.The method of claim 12, wherein the device is a WiFi base station. 19.The method of claim 12, wherein the information is distributed by eitherone of periodic broadcast message, periodic unsolicited direct messageto the device, or in response to a request from the device for theinformation.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the device ceasestransmission when it is determined that stored information is out ofdate.
 21. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining whethera current location and antenna direction of the base station is withinany protection zone of a plurality of unintended receivers and may causeinterference with the operation of a corresponding unintended receiverand further includes periodically checking a database for one or more ofchanges in operational parameters of existing point to point receiversor establishment of a new point to point receiver.
 22. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the system automatically adapt communicationparameters to reduce an antenna lobe gain towards a protection zone ofany incumbent PtPR while maximizing coverage in areas outside theprotection zone of incumbent PtPRs.